Five-Day Weekend Holidays in Thailand

A Beach Holiday at Hua Hin

Source

Long Holiday Weekends in Thailand

Before coming to Thailand, I thought a three- or four-day weekend was a long weekend holiday. This concept was quickly shattered when I started seeing the Thai celebrate five-day and longer weekend holidays... As I write this article, people all over Thailand have finished celebrating the fifth and final day of a long Buddhist Lent holiday in July of 2016.

This article answers the question, "Why there are five-day weekend holidays in Thailand?" It also lists the important five-day weekend holidays in Thailand every year, as well as other long three-day weekend holidays.

Why Are There Five-Day Weekend Holidays in Thailand?

Having lived in Thailand as a retiree since 2007, I have observed that the Thai as a fun loving people look forward to all of their free and holiday time. They definitely are not workaholics like many Americans. The Thai idea of having a good time over a long period of time, however, is not the only reason for five-day weekend holidays in Thailand. There are two other reasons, namely, allowing the Thai extra time to travel and be with their families, and the celebration of Buddhist and government holidays.

Although the city of Bangkok has a population of approximately 15 million, about 10 or 11 million people are permanent residents of the city. The remainder are temporary migrant workers from outer provinces 30 to 700 kilometers away. Since the average Thai cannot afford to fly, most of the temporary migrant workers travel by bus, train, car or pickup on holidays. With two days for travel back and forth from their provincial home village, a five-day weekend is actually only three for time with family.

Another important reason for the long five-day weekend holidays is to allow the Thai who are 95 percent Buddhist to celebrate Buddhist holidays like the Thai New Year (Songkran) and the beginning of Buddhist Lent. There are also government holidays celebrating the King's and Queen's birthdays.

Candle Festival

Picture taken on the grounds of a Buddhist temple in Nongkhai, Thailand | Source

Important Five-Day Weekend Holidays in Thailand

Since living in Thailand, I have observed four long five-day weekend holidays. Two of these long weekend holidays were related to Buddhist festivals and two for government and Western holidays. These five-day weekend holidays are as follow:

1. Western New Year Holidays

Both New Year's Eve, December 31, and New Year's Day, January 1, are government public holidays in Thailand. If the 31st and the 1st fall on a Saturday and Sunday, three additional weekday holidays are allowed. Consequently, people will be off work from Friday, December 30, through Tuesday, January 3. Almost all migrant Thai living in Bangkok travel mostly by car and bus to their family home in predominantly northern and northeastern Thailand. In 2013, I remember a 13-hour drive due to horrendous traffic on January 2 from Udonthani Province to Bangkok where I was living at that time.

2. Thai New year Buddhist Holidays (Songkran Festival)

The Buddhist New Year or Songkran are the most important holidays of the year for the Thai. Although the official government holidays are April 13-15, the government and private businesses are very liberal in their leave policy, and almost all people have five working days off for celebrating Songkran. If the Buddhist New Year holidays fall Wednesday-Friday, the Thai would have a nine-day weekend holiday!

3. The Candle Festival and Beginning of Buddhist Lent

The Candle Festival and the beginning of Buddhist Lent were celebrated July 19-20, 2016. The government gave an extra holiday on Monday, July 18, 2016. Hence, all Thai had a five day weekend holiday from Saturday, July 16, through Wednesday, July 20. Buddhist Lent always falls during the height of the rainy season in Thailand from around the latter part of July until the middle of October. Traditionally, monks could not leave the temple during Buddhist Lent.

4. International Labor Day and Coronation Day

In 2015, there was a five day weekend holiday from May 1 through May 5. Friday, May 1, was celebrated as International Labor Day, and May 5 was observed as Coronation Day. The government gave Monday, May 4, as an extra holiday so that people could enjoy a long weekend holiday.

Getting a Monk's Blessing at a Buddhist Temple

Source

Other Important Three-Day Weekend Holidays

If the following commemorated holidays fall on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. the Thai are fortunate to have three-day weekend holidays.

1. Makha Bucha Day - February 22

This is an important Buddhist holiday.

2. Wisakha Bucha Day - March 20

This is another significant Buddhist holiday.

3. Chakri Day - April 6

This date commemorates the beginning of the present dynasty of kings in Thailand. The present King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty.

4. The Queen's Birthday - August 12

The Queen's birthday is also celebrated as Mother's Day in Thailand.

5. King Chulalongkorn Commemoration Day - October 23

King Chulalongkorn is very respected in Thailand because he freed the slaves and avoided colonial domination. He was the fifth king of the Chakri Dynasty.

6. The King's Birthday - December 5

King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday is also celebrated as Father's Day.

7. Constitution Day - December 10

Conclusion

When I worked for the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, I always enjoyed being able to celebrate Thai holidays along with observed U.S. holidays. Now that I am retired, every day is a holiday and I don't look forward to long Thai weekend holidays like I did when I was teaching English in Bangkok.